Late 20th Century (80s - 1999)

This exceptionally sculptural work of Italian mid-century Modern design by the Bertoncello Ceramiche D'Arte (estd. c.1956 - c.1999).  The form is that of a 3D crescent moon partially embedded into the surface the piece rests upon. Further elevating this piece is the richly silky glaze that invites touch, this glaze is one of two Bertoncello signature glazes called the Screziato. This particular shade is the Screziato Tabacco, a sumptuously glaze that is silky to touch, visually, it presents as a refined blending of rich, Golden Ochre, tinged with Sienna which gives added depth. Take a step back to view this piece as a whole and the glaze effect resembles leather or marbled stone.

Like many other Italian potteries that were popular during the mid-century period, little is known about the pottery but the exceptional quality of design undeniably speaks for itself.

This work would suit a space with Modernist, Minimalist and Mid Century décor, either as a standalone work of art ceramic or functionally as a vase or planter. The majestic size, refined form and overall condition of this piece makes it a rare find. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Most notable wear are the movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The base bears model number '972'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c.  10.2" / 26 cm. Length c. 11.4" / 29 cm (across body's longest point). Depth: c. 4.7" / 12 cm. Base measurements: c. 6" / 15.2 cm x c. 3" / 7.7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,250 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bertoncello Ceramiche D'Arte was founded in Schiavon, Italy around 1956 and was first known as LBP, an acronym created with the first letters of the founders surnames Mr Lini, Giovanni Bertoncello and Mr Pizzato.

For many years it was run solely by Giovanni Bertoncello (b. 1930 - d. 2011) and his brother Felice after Mr Lini left the company a few years after the pottery's founding. By the 1970s the pottery had grown to a staff of around 30 with Giovanni being the creative driving force behind the forms and glazes. In the early years Giovanni benefited from some support by a Venetian teacher, Mr. Boatto. Sadly not a lot is known about the company as all its catalogues and archives were destroyed when the company closed in 1999, however, the legacy of Bertoncello's design is undeniable in the history of Italian mid century art ceramics.

Bertoncello's signature designs are often very sculptural, with echoes from geometricism and modern architecture. Dramatic curves, rounded edges and corners, pierced forms and an organic feel are recurring features.

This trio of sweetly adorable and hand-decorated bird sculptures is by leading Swedish ceramicist and designer Lisa Larson (b. 1931 - ) designed in the early 1990s. Originally designed for Larson's exhibition, the production of the figures were by Larsons pottery studio Keramikstudion Gustavsberg.  Larson is famous for her Modernistic animal sculpture designs that has created many popular series such as Stora (Large Zoo), Lilla (Little Zoo), and Skansen (Nordic Zoo) for Gustavsberg Ceramics.

The elegantly rounded yet sleek forms with inquisitive expressions really bring these works to life. The trio's Modernistic forms are beautifully complimented by the silky smooth, semi-matte Warm Sand glaze with the bare minimum of detail depicted in the hand painted eyes or dustings of shadow. These sculptures are further elevated by the gold glaze detail. There are 4 Fenix designs in total, ranging from: Fingal (tallest), Gottfrid (roundest), Ossian and Tekla (smallest). These sculptures have been decorated in different colours including the Warm Sand of this trio, Cobalt blue and Charcoal black. Beautifully modern and charming, these works bring elevated simplicity and warmth to their surroundings. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repair. There is mild wear of movement marks on the underside of the base for the figures, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the bases are signed with Larson's "LISA L" with the Gottfrid's wooden base bearing the full 'K-studion Gustavberg' signature 

MEASUREMENTS
- Fingal (Tallest) - Height: c. 7.6" / 19.2 cm tall (from base to tallest point ). Width c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm (across widest point). Base c. 2.8" / 7 cm (across widest point).
- Gottfrid (Roundest) - Height: c. 7.5" / 19 cm tall (from wood base to tallest point ). Width: c. 4.6" / 11.6 cm (across widest point). Base c. 2.7" / 6.8 cm.
- Tekla (Smallest) - Height: c. 4.5" / 11.5 cm tall (from base to tallest point ). Width: c. 3.5" / 9  cm (across widest point). Base c. 2.1" / 5.3 cm depth.
Unpackaged weight [Trio]: c. 1.3 kg / 1,250 g

NOTES
Sculptures will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Lisa Larson (b.1931) is a Swedish ceramicist and designer. She is well known for many sculptures series including Stora (Large Zoo), Lilla (Little Zoo), and Skansen (Nordic Zoo), 'ABC-girls', 'Africa' and 'Children of the World'. Larson is well known for her warm-hearted, humorous, sometimes subtly ironic design and is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design.

This striking and joyful work of 1980s Postmodern design is by British pottery Park Rose. Postmodern art and design are known for directly or indirectly borrowing from a range of design styles from the past. The form of this planter is a streamlined, Modern, and gently inverted lozenge shape that is an excellent canvas for the décor that echoes mid-century Op Art and Psy Art influences. The base glaze is a glossy white and juxtaposing this is the two, textured faces decorated in a cotton candy palette. The palette of Powdered Apple green, Lemon yellow, and Marshmallow pink is applied in an Ombre manner, where the textured wave pattern leads the colours to fade into one another:

This charming piece is stylistically contemporary and yet also prominently of its time, this piece works excellently for bright and joyful functional use. 

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips or repairs. The most significant wear is movement marks that is on the underside of the base and mild crazing all over that are commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears the stamp 'Park Rose, Bridlington, England'. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 5.2" / 13.3 cm. Width: c. 11.9" / 30.2 cm (across widest point). Depth: c. 5.8" / 14.7 cm. Base measurements: c. 9.2" / 23.3 cm x c. 9.8" / 9.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,630 g 

NOTES
Planter will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Park Rose Pottery 1982 - 2012
The Park Rose Pottery was founded by Anthony Kusmirek and Noel Rawson in 1982 with the original range consisting of vases, plant pot holders and ceramic lamp bases. The pottery went on to produce and sell a successful range of designer ware in their own right. Sadly, Park Rose Pottery ceased to trade in 2012 and it is unclear as to the reasons behind the closure. 

This vivid work of 1980s Postmodern design is by British pottery Park Rose. Postmodern art and design are known for directly or indirectly borrowing from a range of design styles from the past. The form of this vase is a streamlined, Modern, and gently inverted tube shape that is an excellent canvas for the décor that echoes mid-century Op Art and Psy Art influences. The base glaze is a glossy white and juxtaposing this is the two, textured faces decorated in a cotton candy palette. The palette of Powdered Apple green, Lemon yellow, and Marshmallow pink is applied in an Ombre manner, where the textured wave pattern leads the colours to fade into one another:

This charming piece is stylistically contemporary and yet also prominently of its time, this piece works excellently for standalone display and for functional use. 

CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips or repairs. The most significant wear is movement marks that is on the underside of the base and mild crazing all over that are commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears the stamp 'Park Rose, Bridlington, England'. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8" / 20.3 cm. Width: c. 5.1" / 13.1 cm (across widest point). Rim measurements: c. 5.1" / 13.1 cm x c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Depth: c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Base measurements: c. 3.1" / 8 cm x c. 2.4" / 6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.0 kg / 960 g 

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Park Rose Pottery 1982 - 2012
The Park Rose Pottery was founded by Anthony Kusmirek and Noel Rawson in 1982 with the original range consisting of vases, plant pot holders and ceramic lamp bases. The pottery went on to produce and sell a successful range of designer ware in their own right. Sadly, Park Rose Pottery ceased to trade in 2012 and it is unclear as to the reasons behind the closure. 

This exquisite work of 70s Modernist studio art ceramic is by master ceramist Reiner Gehrig (b. 1938 - ) Grünstadt Studio. Gehrig owned Grünstadt, enjoying a long and successful career before retiring in 2013.

This brilliantly executed work is a shining example of Gehrig's signature style, a fusion of a sculpted, lightly geometric, polished form combined with a touch-inviting, sumptuous running glaze. 

The deceptively simple bottle form is crafted with inflection points which create the three softly geometric segments and is finished with an elegantly tapered neck. The base glaze to this piece is a rich hares fur glaze of matte brown tones from deep Umber to tones of warm Cedar, Cinnamon and Coffee. Overlaid onto the base glaze is resplendent running blue glaze in tones of Azure, Cobalt, Aegean and Indigo which intersperses with earthy hues of Cedar and Blonde. 

CONDITION
Excellent- no chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear on the underside of the base that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Mentioned for completeness: there is the polishing on the underside of the base that is from the production process and is not damage. Please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside also bears Gehrig's signature 'g' pottery mark.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.5" / 19 cm tall by c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm wide (across the body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 1.9" / 4.8 cm. Rim diameter: c. 0.6" / 1.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 630 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Gehrig began apprenticing with ceramics in 1954, at the age of 16. He would work his way through apprenticeship to journeyman until he attended and graduated in 1961 from the master class with Hubert Griemert (b. 1905 - d. 1990) in Höhr-Grenzhause. Griemert was an important figure in the German studio pottery world, a professor, master potter who often designed for KPM Berlin. 

After graduating, Gehrig spent some years working for recognised names such as JLKnödgen,  Van Daalen, Ulmer Keramik, Steingutfabrik Grünstadt before establishing his own studio in 1974. 

Gehrig is known for having quickly and confidently developed his own style, becoming particularly proficient with turning difficult forms. He was known to work in ceramic, porcelain, stoneware and developing a rich range of glazes, from running to salt glaze.

In his long career, Gehrig was awarded the Palatinate Prize for arts and crafts and his work features in collections at the Deidesheim, Museum of Modern Ceramics, Höhr-Grenzhausen, and the Ceramic Museum Westerwald Mainz, Ministry of Culture.

This majestic and highly skilled work of Swedish design is a sculpted Op Art art glass vase that has been created in the style of Hanne Dreutler (b. 1942 - d. 2009), glass artist and silversmith for Kosta Boda glassworks. Dreutler's career included an important contribution to the art glass field in the excelling at a technique called Graal glass. There are a number of glass artists from Kosta Boda who have been fond of the Double-Threading technique that is featured on this vase, such as Bertil Vallien, Ulrica Hyd-Vallien and Kjell Engman. However, this style of this piece has close similarities to Dreutler's works, e.g. https://anyesattic.com/products/studio-ahus-sweden-by-hanne-dreutler-optical-art-sculpted-art-glass-bowl-signed-and-dated

This particular piece bears vivid threads of Vermilion red edged in with varying tones of Cornflower blue that are woven and looped together into the cross-hatch pattern and blown into the final teardrop form. The visual overlapping of the lines creates the Op Art illusion and crosshatch effect. This net-like effect is suspended in a curved and clear glass form.

This refined piece is stylistically timeless and yet also prominently of the Swedish Modernist art glass design. The combination of the form, striking size with the colour palette and its condition makes it a rare find.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is negligible surface wear that is most prominent on the underside of the base. Please refer to photos as they form part of the description. The vase is labelled with Kosta Boda's 'Kosta Boda, Sweden 1742'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 18.1" / 46 cm tall (from base to rim). Rim c. 2.1" / 5.3 cm. Width: c. 7.9" / 20 cm (across widest point). Depth: c. 3.9" / 10 cm (across deepest point). Base: c. 3" / 7.5 cm x c. 2.3" / 5.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: 5.8 kg / 5,790 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Hanne Dreutler (b. 1942 - d. 2009) / Studio Ahus
Hanne ( Hannelore ) Margarete Dreutler was a recognised German-Swedish glass artist and silversmith.
Dreutler trained as an industrial designer and silversmith began her career as an independent silversmith in Stockholm. She would go on to work for the Målerås and Flygsfors glassworks from 1968.

Dreutler moved to Kosta glassworks in 1971 where she would meet Arthur Zirnsack, and both would worked under Vicke Lindstrand. Dreutler and Zirnsack married and the couple started their own glassworks, Studio Åhus in 1977, one year after Kosta became Kosta Boda. Studio Åhus specialised in the famous traditions of Scandinavian glass art and Lindstrand worked at Ahus after he retired from Kosta Boda.

Dreutler's career included an important contribution to the art glass field and that was in the excelling at a technique called Graal glass. Graal glass is the cutting and engraving to reveal different colours of a blown glass bubble that consists of one or more layers of coloured glass overlaid on clear glass. The bubble is reheated and re-blown to the final shape of the object. The invention of this difficult technique was considered the 'holy grail' of glassblowing - hence the name ('graal' is Swedish for grail).

Dreutler's achievements include representation at the Stockholm National Museum, the granting of Studio Ahus' appointment to the King of Sweden in 1993 and in 1999, the awarding of the Kristianstad Municipality's cultural prize.